Kissing
Proper 6C
Galatians 2.15-21; Luke 7.36-8.3
- Kissing features in the Bible some 57 times! That frequency makes it all the more difficult to be certain what the actions of the woman who kisses the feet of Jesus means. This performance poems looks at some of the possible meanings. Perhaps Psalm 2 provides a key to understanding when its says,
Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling kiss his feet. (verse 11)
since worship appears to be crucial to the woman's actions and her salvation.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
the bawdy cry of a fresh-faced youth
at the funfair ride.
She pouts and leans; he's almost there
then rattle and bang, the truck has gone,
a kiss denied.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
the insistent command of an aunt
almost feared,
pressing a demand that embarrasses and shames
a teenage nephew with no where to hide
from a kiss required.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
the faint whisper of a dying man
frail and scarred,
eyes yearning, head almost swallowed
by pillows so white,
tears drop large across mouth-clenched sorrow,
a kiss of loss and grief.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
slobbered licking, furious and keen,
tail-wagging delight,
the puppy's all eager; determined to please,
dog-owner's reward immediate and full -
a canine kiss, but true.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
the prostitute's bored script, fourth time on this day.
No mouths, flesh only.
She stares above his head seeking the clock's face,
only minutes to endure, the fee is soon earnt,
a kiss that's commodity, no more.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
make it better; hold me tight,
child's tear-stained plea.
Grazed knees, torn trousers, trembling shock –
healing hug, mum's power,
a kiss that cures.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
lover's demand readily received,
sensual and long.
Lingering embrace that wants to know no end.
Toe-curling, intense, ardent and fierce –
a kiss passionate.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
family reunion, friends in the greeting,
belonging that cares
cheeks brushing, hands tight held
light-hearted banter and smiles all round –
a kiss of delight.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
all these things and many more besides
signified, acted, received.
How shall we name what's done in Simon's house
with tears and ointment sweet?
A kiss mysterious.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
but
Simon refuses, alone in his pride,
eager to judge.
Sharing his table this guest should know better.
"She's not one of us; her actions speak volumes"
her kiss condemning.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
"Simon you know not the debt that you owe,
not honour or status
but love freely shared and lives that engage
to breakdown the barriers and set free all,
a kiss of salvation."
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
and let her loving devotion, voiceless action
bold and risky
be the measure of our faith's life
for none can earn the status of God's loved child
kissed by the Creator's blessings.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
that
like the lonely woman we may tremble in tearful
contrition
sincere and profound.
For Jesus deigns to let us serve him
not as lackey but as kin,
serving a loved one's needs
kissed in compassion.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
not because you've earnt it;
not because you must
but from a heart that's longing
to know the forgiving touch of God who shares our
table
and crafts a new community
healedby his kiss of peace.
Give us a kiss, give us a kiss,
and live it boldly as one whose debts are cancelled
as one who is quite free
For God in Christ has healed you.
This is all that you must do:
kiss one another as
he has kissed you.
Some of the meanings of kissing in scripture:
romance (Song of Songs 1.2; 7.9)
deference (Sir 29.5)
seduction (Prov 7.1)
loyalty (1 Kings 19.18; Hosea 3.12)
friendship (1 Sam 20.41)
peace (Ps 85.10)
love (1 Peter 5.14)
deceit (Prov 27.6)
kinship ties (Gen 27.27; 29.11)
ingratiation (Sir 29.5)
betrayal (Mark 14.44)
belonging in the faith community (Rom 16.16)
Some of the meanings of tears:
grief (Ps 6.6)
joy (Gen 34.4)
sincerity (Isa 38.5)
insincerity (Sir 12.16)
mourning (Ps 102.9)
complaint (Mal 3.13)
humility (Acts 20.19)
anguish (2 Cor 2.4)
affection (Gen 43.30)
empathy (Job 30.25)
a plea (Ps 39.12)
Kisses and tears combined:
joy (Gen 29.11)
sorrow (Ruth 1.14)
mourning (Gen 50.1)
